RPA vs AI agents
Both automate work in software interfaces. They differ in how they decide what to do.
Explanatory overview of the technology category. It describes no specific Samtal product feature, customer or result.
| Aspect | Scripted RPA | AI computer-use agent |
|---|---|---|
| Instructions | Recorded steps and selectors | A goal in natural language |
| UI changes | Often break the script | Can adapt by re-reading the screen |
| Unstructured input | Limited | Can interpret text and documents |
| Predictability | High, deterministic | Lower; needs verification and guardrails |
| Speed per step | Fast | Slower (model inference each step) |
In practice
Many teams combine the two: deterministic automation for stable steps, and AI agents for the parts that need judgment or have to cope with change.